Syphilitic myelopathy

Alternative names:

tabes dorsalis - myelopathy

Definition:

A disorder characterized by muscle weakness and abnormal sensations; it can develop in untreated syphilis infections.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Syphilitic myelopathy is a form of neurosyphilis, which is a progressive, life-threatening complication of late or tertiary syphilis infection. Tabes dorsalis includes syphilitic myelopathy and additional symptoms of nerve damage.

The infection damages the tissue of the spinal cord and peripheral nervous tissue. This causes decreased muscle function (myelopathy), including progressive weakness of the legs, arms, and other areas. Loss of function may eventually result in paralysis. Coordination difficulties contribute to problems walking. There are often changes in sensation, including painful paresthesia (abnormal sensations).

Tabes dorsalis is an entity that often coexists with syphilitic myelopathy. The muscle problems are accompanied by other symptoms characteristic of nerve damage caused by syphilis. These include vision changes and loss of bladder function.

Syphilitic myelopathy is rare. It affects approximately 2 out of 1 million people. Risks include previous syphilis infection, and previous infection with other sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea (which may mask symptoms of syphilis infection).